Roaring searchlights, buzzing neon, arching floodlights compete under the perpetually brown-tinged lead skies of the Alley, each an attempt to draw attention to the three- and four-story casinos and other pleasure houses squeezed next to one another in the heart of the city. Fancifully constructed in the styles of a dozen lands or to look like sailing ships or tombs, the gambling houses and their marquees throw deep, concealing shadows on the wide gears of industry and narrow shanty buildings that crowd between them.

After their clash Reina had treated Bea to all the booze she could hold. Compliments of the inventor's tab. It wasn't too hard to placate the brawler beyond that gesture. And if Aburei stuck around he'd get to see a new side of Reina. The happy-go-lucky, warm hearted side. It turns out Reina gets rather giddy when she's drunk. And she pays for it the next day with a hangover like no other, in which time Bea mentioned that Reina had been in Fuuma Alley just a week ago. Or someone claiming to be her.
Reina learned that someone was using her name back in that cesspool of humanity. For stealing, lying, and using brute force. Well Reina wasn't going to allow that…since she couldn't reap any of the rewards from such criminal activity! So she asked Bea and Aburei to come along, to clear her "good" name. It took them a short amount of time to get to Fuuma Alley, and Reina had decided to keep a low profile. She wouldn't announce her arrival. "But I'm not going to sneak around either," she says, as they walk down the perfumed streets. It can be called perfume if such scents consist of mud, grease, and toxic fumes. They're in the market district, which holds everything from booze, brothels, to bean buns. "Let's go see my…I suppose you could call him my agent. And while we're here no drinking, Bea-chan. Got it?"

Bea makes a grumbling sound in her chest. "Is no good having money if cannot get booze. Speaking of which, how are we going to make cash from this?" e.e "I guess there's always the spoils from taking down a crook, like with those yakuza," Aburei suggests. "But what's it really matter? We're here to help Reina-san, that's enough." :) Bea stares at the diminutive medic for a moment. "Do you pay him in smooches or something?" she asks Reina.

"If this person is using my name, they might be trying to take my stuff," Reina says. "I have some valuables stored here under lock and key. If you help me keep it safe I'll make it worth your while, plus get you some booze. Afterwards." When Bea asks about her method of payment she gives a light laugh. "He works for free," she says, smirking to Bea. "He tries to make me work for free too. He might be the only person in this world who thinks I'm nice." She punches Aburei playfully in the shoulder, or maybe a bit harder than playful. It'd sting.
"His best skill is being a top notch medic. Maybe his only skill actually…oh, here we are. Time to meet my agent. Endo-san is as close to a friend as I have in Fuuma." She would slip into a dank alley, walk a dozen yards and come to a non-descript door. She leans in, as if listening for something, and then knocks on the door. And she continues to knock until it swings open to reveal balding man opens the door. He's getting on in years and has a short stature. The kind of guy you wouldn't look at twice.
"Hey Endo-san," Reina says. "I've just — whoa!" At the sight of her Endo had grabbed the nearest weapon — a broom — and swung it full at her face. Reina blocks the clumsy attack with her arm, but instead of attacking she backs up her hands up. "What in the world are you doing. Stop, you idiot." He's taking wild swings at her, shouting at her to go away.

Aburei winces. "Ow! Careful Reina-san, I'm not as durable as the kind of people you're used to." c.c; Aburei rubs his shoulder as they walk along. "I like to think I'm a decent musician as well." Bea pats Aburei on the head. "Is fun to have music-maker around. You can make song about good fights we have had." n.n
When they reach their destination, Aburei stares in mild surprise at the reception they receive. "I guess your reputation really has been dragged through the mud around here." o.o Bea steps forward and catches the broom handle in her grip. "Old man is not very good at smashings. Better use ears and mouth instead, or will not go very well for him." >)

"Who are you?" Endo demands of the brawler.
"This is Bea-chan," Reina says, now taking shelter behind Bea. "I've told you about her. Endo-san, there's someone posing as me. I take it you know about her?"
"Posing as you?" Endo's eyes narrow. "So you're claiming all that terrible stuff you did was someone else?"
"I've done lots of terrible stuff," Reina says. "But I haven't been in Fuuma Alley for at least two years."
"I saw you. You came here. In fact you were here five minutes ago. Look at what you did!" He steps aside to show that the room is wrecked, all torn apart. "You were looking for something. That really wasn't you?"
"Wait the person who was me is nearby?" Reina looks over her shoulder. "So she looks like me?"
"Looks like you, talks like you, acts like you, and loses her temper like you. Whoever it was took your items…and then proceeded to steal even more."
"She took all my stuff?" Reina gasps. "I left most of the things I have in Fuuma with you Endo-san!"
"I know…I'm sorry. But I need to tell you something important…hey!"
Reina has dashed out the door to look for her doppleganger.
But Endo would say to Aburei, "Do you have a moment? Are you completely sure that woman is Miira Reina?"

Bea steps out to follow after Reina. "Oh good, maybe is smashings right off. That solve whole problem." n.n Aburei remains to speak with Endo. "Completely sure? Hmmm…" Aburei contemplates that philosophically, then shrugs. "Technically no, seeing as there are apparently two people who look like that and claim that name, but I can say that I've been travelling with 'that' Reina for quite some time now, and I haven't lost sight of her since we walked into town today. She saved my life once, so even if she's not the original Miira Reina…she's the one I like." :) Aburei snaps his fingers. "Oh, and would it help to know she makes heat with her ninjutsu? Like, not really fire, just plain HEAT."

"She saved your life? Well, that's Reina-chan. She thinks of herself as a villain but I think it will be her heroism that will get her killed one day." He glances at where she left. "I ask you this because she answered incorrectly. She got the answer right. But every time I've asked her a security question, a password, or a code, she'd always say 'Aren't you too old to be playing games?' Every time."
He's rubbing his chin. "Do an old man a favor and make sure it's her one more time. If it's not come back and tell me. But remember…even if it is Reina-chan, you should be careful about getting involved with her. She's dangerous — and honestly, I can believe this of her. That she'd do this." He gestures to the ruined room.
Reina is running down an alley when she spots them. Three people on rooftops, cloaked and hooded. Reina shouts, "Stop right there!" And she'd jump up to join them. Immediately, they'd split in three different directions. Reina sets off after the tallest one.

Aburei nods. "Okay, I'll try. 'Course, I just hope I run into the right one out there, now that we've been separated." c.c Aburei heads out the door and dashes off to try and find Reina. Fortunately he always has been a pretty swift runner, for a non-shinobi.
Bea sees the cloaked figures just as they split up and Reina starts chasing one of them. With a grin, Bea picks her own target — the bulkiest one, since she figures that would be the most satisfying one to fight. >) Speed isn't the emphasis of Bea's fighting style, but it's surprising how fast a bear moves once it gets some momentum up, and Bea's got a gigantic stride. She closes in on her quarry and makes a flying leap with a fist raised. "CONFRONTATION BEAR-FIST USER, RITTORU BEA! FACE ME!" >D

Bea catches up to the cloaked form easily, and he's tackled so hard he bounces to the edge of the roof he's on. He pushes himself up and turns around. "Why are you following me?" he demands. "Are you after the bounty as well?"
About a mile away, Reina has cut off the tall figure who turns out to be a woman. And she's asked the same question by the cloaked woman.
"What bounty?" Reina asks.
And the answer would be: "Miira Reina."
Reina blinks and automatically says, "Me?"
The woman's eyes widen. "It's her," she says. "It's her! Guys come and back me up!" She puts her fingers in her mouth and gives a piercing whistle. A shuriken would materialize, a huge one, which she'd chuck at Reina. And at the same time the third cloaked figure — a young boy — would appear behind her to aim a swift kick at her back. One that'd smash through stone if it connected. The words of the shout wouldn't be coherent to Bea or the bulky man but they'd hear a whistle.
"Maybe they found that Miira," the bulky man says. "Don't get in my way and try to steal that bounty. I'll end you." And he'd set off to help the other two. He's trying to muscle her out of the way."
Along the way to her Aburei would see a poster. It's a rough sketch of Reina, with an offer for her capture dead or alive. A long string of offenses are listed from stealing…to murder. And the reward is substantial. A small fortune actually.

RP: Reina joins the roleplay.

COMBAT: It is now Reina's turn.

RPCOMBAT: Reina defends against with a WIND-BARRIER…29
RPCOMBAT: Reina defends against with a WIND-BARRIER…26

RPCOMBAT: Reina took 400 damage.

Bea pauses thoughtfully when she's asked why she's doing what she's doing. "I don't know yet," she admits. "I just see Reina-san chase cloaked people and figured I should do same. I ask her when smashings are done." n.n Bea sets her feet firmly and grasps the man's shirt when he tries to push past her. Muscling Bea out of the way, heh. X) "So, is bounty you say? Who is offering?" >8)
Aburei spots the poster and glances over it. Whoa, Reina's imposter is bad news. o.o Then he hears a sharp whistle. Dunno exactly what that means, but it's probably an indicator of something happening. He sets off to see what.

"At first the bounty was offered from Hitoro the broker, after the Miira stole his cache," the man says. "But the more bounty hunters she's killed, the bigger the reward has become. Now it's nearly all of District 9 who wants her head. And if we're the first to get it we'll be living easy."
Reina sends out a gust of wind that'd batter both of her assailants down. She's on the woman before the bounty hunter can even rise. More people are appearing, from mercenaries to shinobi. They're all converging on her location. Aburei is coming with the rest. And he arrives just in time to see Reina with her hand around the bounty hunter's throat. A man is yelling, "By the authority of Fuuma Alley supervision, surrender now Miira Reina!" Many people are there now, but it's Aburei she looks to with a sad expression.
"Sorry Aburei-kun," she says. "I didn't want you to find out who I was so soon." And then heat would radiate from her, and the bounty hunter gives a strangled cry that turns into a wheeze as her body is overheated. Bodily fluids, blood, every drop of moisture in her is being seared away until she's a husk, which Reina throws aside.
"You murderer!" the young bounty hunter says, lunging at Reina. But in a flicker of movement she's gone.

«OOC» Reina says, "Cruel fate. Well, you get to see Reina murdering someone."

Bea frowns thoughtfully. "Hmm, that not good. Real Reina-san will have tough time." :/ Bea releases the bounty hunter's shirt. "You will die if you try to fight real Reina-san. Is better than I am. Found that out for certain other day." :P With that, Bea bounds off over the roofs to see if there's anything she can do about what's happening.
Aburei looks at the tense situation when he arrives. Is that 'his' Reina-san? Was she attacked by the people she's now pinning down? Maybe Aburei can do something to defuse thi — but then Reina addresses him, and…the unthinkable happens. O.O;
Aburei stands in shock at the graphic desiccation. That…that must've been the imposter after all! D8 But why would the imposter know his name? And does she have that same ability the real Reina-san has? WHAT'S GOING ON?!?! ;.;

There are about a dozen people on the rooftops now, from mercenaries to city officials. Reina is nowhere to be found. The only thing that remains is the horrific remains of the bounty hunter. It's a dried up husk, and one shinobi goes over to examine it. "This is the eighth," he says, his voice boiling with fury. "Even years ago, the leader of Hakumei didn't sink this low. I'll kill her myself." There's muttered agreement. Everyone there is out for blood.
The bounty hunter glances at Bea. "I know she's formidable," he says. "She's killed quite a few people in a short time. And two of them were my friends. Like I said, stay out of my way." When he gets there he lets out a wail of horror at the sight of his dead partner. He rushes over there, but the third cloaked bounty hunter stops him. "It's too late, she's already dead. Miira Reina murdered her." People are spreading out in a search already, but this time staying in at least groups of three. The bulky bounter hunter turns to Bea. "We're one down. If you join us you'll get a third of the bounty, and we won't mention you were in her old group. Brawler Bea."

After their clash Reina had treated Bea to all the booze she could hold. Compliments of the inventor's tab. It wasn't too hard to placate the brawler beyond that gesture. And if Aburei stuck around he'd get to see a new side of Reina. The happy-go-lucky, warm hearted side. It turns out Reina gets rather giddy when she's drunk. And she pays for it the next day with a hangover like no other, in which time Bea mentioned that Reina had been in Fuuma Alley just a week ago. Or someone claiming to be her.
Reina learned that someone was using her name back in that cesspool of humanity. For stealing, lying, and using brute force. Well Reina wasn't going to allow that…since she couldn't reap any of the rewards from such criminal activity! So she asked Bea and Aburei to come along, to clear her "good" name. It took them a short amount of time to get to Fuuma Alley, and Reina had decided to keep a low profile. She wouldn't announce her arrival. "But I'm not going to sneak around either," she says, as they walk down the perfumed streets. It can be called perfume if such scents consist of mud, grease, and toxic fumes. They're in the market district, which holds everything from booze, brothels, to bean buns. "Let's go see my…I suppose you could call him my agent. And while we're here no drinking, Bea-chan. Got it?"

Bea makes a grumbling sound in her chest. "Is no good having money if cannot get booze. Speaking of which, how are we going to make cash from this?" e.e "I guess there's always the spoils from taking down a crook, like with those yakuza," Aburei suggests. "But what's it really matter? We're here to help Reina-san, that's enough." :) Bea stares at the diminutive medic for a moment. "Do you pay him in smooches or something?" she asks Reina.

"If this person is using my name, they might be trying to take my stuff," Reina says. "I have some valuables stored here under lock and key. If you help me keep it safe I'll make it worth your while, plus get you some booze. Afterwards." When Bea asks about her method of payment she gives a light laugh. "He works for free," she says, smirking to Bea. "He tries to make me work for free too. He might be the only person in this world who thinks I'm nice." She punches Aburei playfully in the shoulder, or maybe a bit harder than playful. It'd sting.
"His best skill is being a top notch medic. Maybe his only skill actually…oh, here we are. Time to meet my agent. Endo-san is as close to a friend as I have in Fuuma." She would slip into a dank alley, walk a dozen yards and come to a non-descript door. She leans in, as if listening for something, and then knocks on the door. And she continues to knock until it swings open to reveal balding man opens the door. He's getting on in years and has a short stature. The kind of guy you wouldn't look at twice.
"Hey Endo-san," Reina says. "I've just — whoa!" At the sight of her Endo had grabbed the nearest weapon — a broom — and swung it full at her face. Reina blocks the clumsy attack with her arm, but instead of attacking she backs up her hands up. "What in the world are you doing. Stop, you idiot." He's taking wild swings at her, shouting at her to go away.

Aburei winces. "Ow! Careful Reina-san, I'm not as durable as the kind of people you're used to." c.c; Aburei rubs his shoulder as they walk along. "I like to think I'm a decent musician as well." Bea pats Aburei on the head. "Is fun to have music-maker around. You can make song about good fights we have had." n.n
When they reach their destination, Aburei stares in mild surprise at the reception they receive. "I guess your reputation really has been dragged through the mud around here." o.o Bea steps forward and catches the broom handle in her grip. "Old man is not very good at smashings. Better use ears and mouth instead, or will not go very well for him." >)

"Who are you?" Endo demands of the brawler.
"This is Bea-chan," Reina says, now taking shelter behind Bea. "I've told you about her. Endo-san, there's someone posing as me. I take it you know about her?"
"Posing as you?" Endo's eyes narrow. "So you're claiming all that terrible stuff you did was someone else?"
"I've done lots of terrible stuff," Reina says. "But I haven't been in Fuuma Alley for at least two years."
"I saw you. You came here. In fact you were here five minutes ago. Look at what you did!" He steps aside to show that the room is wrecked, all torn apart. "You were looking for something. That really wasn't you?"
"Wait the person who was me is nearby?" Reina looks over her shoulder. "So she looks like me?"
"Looks like you, talks like you, acts like you, and loses her temper like you. Whoever it was took your items…and then proceeded to steal even more."
"She took all my stuff?" Reina gasps. "I left most of the things I have in Fuuma with you Endo-san!"
"I know…I'm sorry. But I need to tell you something important…hey!"
Reina has dashed out the door to look for her doppleganger.
But Endo would say to Aburei, "Do you have a moment? Are you completely sure that woman is Miira Reina?"

Bea steps out to follow after Reina. "Oh good, maybe is smashings right off. That solve whole problem." n.n Aburei remains to speak with Endo. "Completely sure? Hmmm…" Aburei contemplates that philosophically, then shrugs. "Technically no, seeing as there are apparently two people who look like that and claim that name, but I can say that I've been travelling with 'that' Reina for quite some time now, and I haven't lost sight of her since we walked into town today. She saved my life once, so even if she's not the original Miira Reina…she's the one I like." :) Aburei snaps his fingers. "Oh, and would it help to know she makes heat with her ninjutsu? Like, not really fire, just plain HEAT."

"She saved your life? Well, that's Reina-chan. She thinks of herself as a villain but I think it will be her heroism that will get her killed one day." He glances at where she left. "I ask you this because she answered incorrectly. She got the answer right. But every time I've asked her a security question, a password, or a code, she'd always say 'Aren't you too old to be playing games?' Every time."
He's rubbing his chin. "Do an old man a favor and make sure it's her one more time. If it's not come back and tell me. But remember…even if it is Reina-chan, you should be careful about getting involved with her. She's dangerous — and honestly, I can believe this of her. That she'd do this." He gestures to the ruined room.
Reina is running down an alley when she spots them. Three people on rooftops, cloaked and hooded. Reina shouts, "Stop right there!" And she'd jump up to join them. Immediately, they'd split in three different directions. Reina sets off after the tallest one.

Aburei nods. "Okay, I'll try. 'Course, I just hope I run into the right one out there, now that we've been separated." c.c Aburei heads out the door and dashes off to try and find Reina. Fortunately he always has been a pretty swift runner, for a non-shinobi.
Bea sees the cloaked figures just as they split up and Reina starts chasing one of them. With a grin, Bea picks her own target — the bulkiest one, since she figures that would be the most satisfying one to fight. >) Speed isn't the emphasis of Bea's fighting style, but it's surprising how fast a bear moves once it gets some momentum up, and Bea's got a gigantic stride. She closes in on her quarry and makes a flying leap with a fist raised. "CONFRONTATION BEAR-FIST USER, RITTORU BEA! FACE ME!" >D

Bea catches up to the cloaked form easily, and he's tackled so hard he bounces to the edge of the roof he's on. He pushes himself up and turns around. "Why are you following me?" he demands. "Are you after the bounty as well?"
About a mile away, Reina has cut off the tall figure who turns out to be a woman. And she's asked the same question by the cloaked woman.
"What bounty?" Reina asks.
And the answer would be: "Miira Reina."
Reina blinks and automatically says, "Me?"
The woman's eyes widen. "It's her," she says. "It's her! Guys come and back me up!" She puts her fingers in her mouth and gives a piercing whistle. A shuriken would materialize, a huge one, which she'd chuck at Reina. And at the same time the third cloaked figure — a young boy — would appear behind her to aim a swift kick at her back. One that'd smash through stone if it connected. The words of the shout wouldn't be coherent to Bea or the bulky man but they'd hear a whistle.
"Maybe they found that Miira," the bulky man says. "Don't get in my way and try to steal that bounty. I'll end you." And he'd set off to help the other two. He's trying to muscle her out of the way."
Along the way to her Aburei would see a poster. It's a rough sketch of Reina, with an offer for her capture dead or alive. A long string of offenses are listed from stealing…to murder. And the reward is substantial. A small fortune actually.

Bea pauses thoughtfully when she's asked why she's doing what she's doing. "I don't know yet," she admits. "I just see Reina-san chase cloaked people and figured I should do same. I ask her when smashings are done." n.n Bea sets her feet firmly and grasps the man's shirt when he tries to push past her. Muscling Bea out of the way, heh. X) "So, is bounty you say? Who is offering?" >8)
Aburei spots the poster and glances over it. Whoa, Reina's imposter is bad news. o.o Then he hears a sharp whistle. Dunno exactly what that means, but it's probably an indicator of something happening. He sets off to see what.

"At first the bounty was offered from Hitoro the broker, after the Miira stole his cache," the man says. "But the more bounty hunters she's killed, the bigger the reward has become. Now it's nearly all of District 9 who wants her head. And if we're the first to get it we'll be living easy."
Reina sends out a gust of wind that'd batter both of her assailants down. She's on the woman before the bounty hunter can even rise. More people are appearing, from mercenaries to shinobi. They're all converging on her location. Aburei is coming with the rest. And he arrives just in time to see Reina with her hand around the bounty hunter's throat. A man is yelling, "By the authority of Fuuma Alley supervision, surrender now Miira Reina!" Many people are there now, but it's Aburei she looks to with a sad expression.
"Sorry Aburei-kun," she says. "I didn't want you to find out who I was so soon." And then heat would radiate from her, and the bounty hunter gives a strangled cry that turns into a wheeze as her body is overheated. Bodily fluids, blood, every drop of moisture in her is being seared away until she's a husk, which Reina throws aside.
"You murderer!" the young bounty hunter says, lunging at Reina. But in a flicker of movement she's gone.

Bea frowns thoughtfully. "Hmm, that not good. Real Reina-san will have tough time." :/ Bea releases the bounty hunter's shirt. "You will die if you try to fight real Reina-san. Is better than I am. Found that out for certain other day." :P With that, Bea bounds off over the roofs to see if there's anything she can do about what's happening.
Aburei looks at the tense situation when he arrives. Is that 'his' Reina-san? Was she attacked by the people she's now pinning down? Maybe Aburei can do something to defuse thi — but then Reina addresses him, and…the unthinkable happens. O.O;
Aburei stands in shock at the graphic desiccation. That…that must've been the imposter after all! D8 But why would the imposter know his name? And does she have that same ability the real Reina-san has? WHAT'S GOING ON?!?! ;.;

There are about a dozen people on the rooftops now, from mercenaries to city officials. Reina is nowhere to be found. The only thing that remains is the horrific remains of the bounty hunter. It's a dried up husk, and one shinobi goes over to examine it. "This is the eighth," he says, his voice boiling with fury. "Even years ago, the leader of Hakumei didn't sink this low. I'll kill her myself." There's muttered agreement. Everyone there is out for blood.
The bounty hunter glances at Bea. "I know she's formidable," he says. "She's killed quite a few people in a short time. And two of them were my friends. Like I said, stay out of my way." When he gets there he lets out a wail of horror at the sight of his dead partner. He rushes over there, but the third cloaked bounty hunter stops him. "It's too late, she's already dead. Miira Reina murdered her." People are spreading out in a search already, but this time staying in at least groups of three. The bulky bounter hunter turns to Bea. "We're one down. If you join us you'll get a third of the bounty, and we won't mention you were in her old group. Brawler Bea."